A well-loved and well-used former bowling green in the heart of Horfield Common has become the victim of its own success, with its green having become, well, distinctly not so green.
As a result, the Ardagh Community Trust (ACT), the popular community charity based on the common, has been crowdfunding to try to repair and rejuvenate the grass, future-proofing the space for a range of inclusive community events and activities.
Chrissie Storry, CEO of the trust, explained of the fundraising initiative: “We are now the proud custodians of the former bowling green. It’s the most wonderful space, right in the middle of our facilities. It’s the jewel in our crown, with the cafe above, community veg gardens to the right, free-to-use tennis courts all around. We’ve even got a community sauna.
“But bowling green grass doesn’t make a great play area surface, and definitely not after the hottest and driest summer on record. Despite our best efforts to keep it in a decent condition, it needs some serious attention, which is what this fundraiser is all about.”
She added: “We have lots of plans for the future, for which the green (formerly ‘the bowling green’, currently ‘the brown’!) is central, but we urgently need to raise money for repairs and future-proofing. Think community gatherings, wholesome activities for mind and body, music nights, cinema screenings, and lots and lots and LOTS of opportunities for kids to run wild and play in a safe environment, right next to our gorgeous cafe and busy veg garden.”
As a small charity, run by a tiny team and a dedicated core of volunteers, the ACT hopes to raise as much as possible to improve the green and create the best possible use of its space for the community. If you wish to donate, please visit:https://tinyurl.com/4994dwpx